Draft:HDPAC Haitian Diaspora Political Action Committee

HDPAC’s MISSION:

To advance the political interests of Haitian Americans and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Haiti.  To that end, we seek to marshal our resources and use it as leverage to ensure that our voices are heard and that we are part of the policy discussions affecting Haitian-Americans.  In addition, we engage the public to educate policy makers and legislators about our community and create better working relationship with lasting policy impact.  We conduct civic education to encourage the community to participate in the U.S. electoral process.

HISTORY:

The United States and Haiti are the two oldest independent nations in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti became an independent nation in 1804, twenty-five years after the United States declared its independence from England.  Very early on, the two countries share a first bond when Haitian volunteers fought at the Battle of Savannah during the US Revolutionary War.  The second bond came when the French Army’s defeat in Haiti forced Napoleon to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States. Having conducted the only successful slave revolt in the world, Haiti had to fight every major western power in order to remain free as a black nation. The United States did not recognize Haiti independence until 1862. U.S. President Andrew Jackson suggested annexing Haiti to gain influence with European nations but never follow through with the idea.  US Marines occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934.

Ultimately, Haitians united in resistance of the US occupation, and US forces left in 1934.  Over the years, the United States continued to exercise great influence over Haiti’s affairs.  From 1957 to 2005, the United States supported the murderous dictatorship of “Papa Doc” and “Baby Doc”.  The US tolerated the regime because it was staunchly anti-communist and a counterbalance to the communist Cuba during the cold war.  When Baby Doc took over after the death of his father, he maintained many of his father policies.  In 1986, following popular revolt, the Reagan administration forced “baby doc” to leave and replaced him by a repressive military dictatorship.

US Policy Towards Haiti

Many policy experts argue that US policy and interventions have made problems in Haiti worse by making the country’s well-being a US responsibility. According to the US State Department, US policy toward Haiti is officially intended to foster and strengthen democracy, help alleviate poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, promote respect for human rights, counter illegal migration, and prevent drug trafficking.

The US supports and facilitates bilateral trade and investment along with legal migration and travel.  US policy goals are met through direct bilateral action and by working with the international community.  The US has long taken a leading role in organizing international involvement with Haiti and works closely with the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Haitian American Electorate

It is estimated that 2 million individuals of Haitian descent live in the United States with 60 percent of whom are American-born.  Of the ones born in Haiti, over 60% of them are US Citizens.  It also happens that almost 60% of the Haitian-American electorate lives in swing states with Florida (at almost 400,000) forming the largest block.  In fact, no Democrats can win a statewide election in Florida without the Haitian-American vote.  Moreover, the Haitian-American electorate form an important voting blocks in Georgia and Pennsylvania with a population of more than 60,000 each.

HDPAC supports American policies that:

• Strengthen the relationship between the United States and Haiti
• Create jobs in both countries.
• Provides assistance to a Constitutionally mandated Haitian Government.
• Support democracy
• Support food security in Haiti
• Protect Human rights
• Facilitates legal migration
• Support sustainable economic development (not foreign aid)
• Support Development of a sustainable bureaucracy

HDPAC supports common sense policy that helps Haiti deal with its many issues from poverty to illiteracy to corruption.

Founding Members

The Haitian American community is forever grateful to the men and women who, so unselfishly gave their time and money to ensure that this PAC became a reality. HDPAC would have never existed without their hard work and devotion. These men and women understand the nature of American politics and created this organization to ensure that Haitian Americans always have a seat at the table, and they shall always be part of HDPAC's History:

EMMANUEL ROY

RENEE BALLANTYNE

JEAN D. VERNET

GEORGES J CASIMIR

DONALD LIVELY

JAMES CAREY KRIZ

FIRMIN BACKER

JUDE CHIDI OGENE

DOROTHY DUPUY

LANDMARK EVENT: HAITI UNITY SUMMIT

2021 Haitian Diaspora Interest Groups which was a combination of concerned citizens and organizations joined forces and at the request of the many Haitian Political groups have worked to develop a framework for an unprecedented unification meeting called the Haiti Unity Summit.

The Purpose of The Haiti Unity Summit “L’Union fait la Force” was to bring representatives from the Accords together in one location to form a consensus on the structure of the interim government and the timeline for free and fair elections to satisfy the needs of the nation and reduce the feelings of tension and polarity between Her people.

Given the long history of political instability coupled with the assassination of the Haitian President Jovenel Moise, the inability to hold elections and the widespread civil unrest, security issues, the global pandemic and the 7.2 earthquake that struck southwest Haiti, immediately followed by Tropical Storm Grace it is vital that the political camps come to a consensus on how to proceed. If an agreement is signed calling for the structure of the interim government and the timeline and pathway to free and fair elections Haiti, can begin a plan to recover.

The event was held January 13-17, 2022 at the Southern University Law Center and The Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Science at Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge Louisiana. The event was moderated by Ret. Lt. General Russel Honoré . The mediation was structured the same as the mediation used with the Governors Island Accord of 1993 with President Jean-Bertrard Aristide.   The key factors in mediation model is the notion of decision making. In facilitative mediation, any decision making is left to those involved, the mediator has no decision-making authority. This is based on the belief that the people involved in the situation have the best understanding of what they need for themselves and from each other.

The political climate in Haiti, the ensuing civil unrest and security concerns has created an opportunity for unprecedented leadership from HDPAC in aiding in the facilitation of this historic event. Eight Accords representing over 4000 civil society and diaspora groups came to these consensuses which are memorialized in a document called the Louisiana Accord. Rev. Rudy Laurent, former Mayor of Spring Valley, NY was the key spokesperson for all views represented at the Summit.

The appointment of an interim President and Prime Minister, Elections Nov. of 2023 to realign with the Constitution, Financial Accountability Council for international Funds, International Community assistance with the Security Crisis as well as the creation of a force to assist with rebuild, patrol boarders, disaster relief and back up the police, a 30 year PLAN HAITI that addresses all sectors including building the bureaucracy, good governance, tech, infrastructure etc., Also the Interim government is charged with rewriting the Constitution so it is actionable and enduring.

2022-2024

Members of HDPAC's leadership team under advisement of Senior Advisor Retired LTG Russel Honore have met proactively with members of the US Senate, US Congress, US State Department, National Security Council, Biden Administration, United Nations, foreign ambassadors from the CORE group such as Canada and France as well as CARICOM. Additionally, HDPAC has met with Haitian business and political interest groups to gain understanding of the specific needs of each stakeholder.

HDPAC has solicited White House support of Haitian Diaspora interests to include the appointment of a Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille. Additionally, HDPAC has repeatedly requested the US allocate resources to assist with the rebuilding of Haiti, release of the $40 million in already appropriated funds designated for Haiti, amendment of the Leahy Law, appointment of a US Special Envoy, opening the airport and ports, providing military equipment and support, leading humanitarian relief programs, sanctions against government officials and others engaged in corruption and crimes.

HDPAC has worked with local and state government officials on issues important to Haitian-Americans. On September 12th, 2024 during the Presidential Debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump, Trump made a statement regarding immigrants in Springfield, Ohio eating cats and dogs. This narrative has been perpetuated by Ohio State Senator J. D. Vance. Vance made baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, including allegations of pet abduction and eating. Authorities in Springfield Ohio and Dayton Ohio denied these claims. Vance also alleged a murder by a Haitian migrant, which was proven false. He promoted unfounded claims of rising diseases in the area. Despite denouncing violence, Vance continued to make inflammatory statements about immigrants in Springfield. He admitted to creating false stories to attract media attention.